TRACKED-DRIVE BOOM LIFTS

Key Features of a Tracked-Drive Boom Lift

You may have seen a track boom lift for sale and wondered what differentiates this piece of machinery from other types of lifts. Let's break down how these are similar to other boom lifts and how their unique features set them apart.

Professionals use boom lifts to perform work in hard-to-reach places. They can move the equipment around to different worksites, either on the machine's power supply or by towing it. This machinery works by having a work platform attached to an arm, or boom, which can be extended or moved to maneuver the platform to a given worksite.

Tracked lifts are boom lifts that utilize crawler tracks instead of wheels. Using tracks provides better grip over uneven ground, making them usable on slopes and in areas where they need to operate off of smooth pavement or flooring. For additional stability, these lifts use outriggers that extend out to spread out their weight.

Tracked lifts can also have narrower bodies. This feature is ideal for navigating tight spaces and for indoor use. The combination of a rugged track system and a narrow body increases the versatility of these lifts, making them ideal for both indoor and outdoor use.

Additionally, tracked boom lifts have a variety of different height capabilities. They can range from smaller models in the 30-foot range to larger models in the 100-foot range.

Practical Applications for Tracked Boom Lifts

Almost any high-up worksite can benefit from a tracked boom lift. As a result, professionals use the equipment across industries and job types. Their size, stability, and track technology make them usable for indoor and outdoor applications.

Examples of outdoor work include construction, hanging signs and stage lights, gutter cleaning or installation, painting, cleaning, repairing electrical wiring, and roofing. The use of outriggers and tracks makes them useful in applications that require the lift to cross or operate on a gradient.

Professionals also use tracked boom lifts indoors. Examples of indoor use include moving stock in warehouses, installing lighting and ductwork, and carpentry. Ultimately, professionals can use tracked boom lifts for many applications with elevated work areas.

Tracked-Drive Boom Lift FAQ

What is a tracked boom lift used for?

Tracked boom lifts are useful across locations and applications, due to their compact design and capable crawler system. Their smaller size makes them an ideal tool within buildings such as warehouses, hotels, entertainment venues, and airports. Outdoor building applications include painting, roof repair, tree maintenance, and window washing.

More generally, tracked lifts are suitable for any worksite that is difficult to reach. Similar to other boom lifts, tracked lifts can raise workers, tools, and supplies to heights exceeding 100 feet. Their tracks make them adaptable for operating on uneven ground, such as in construction sites or for electrical work.

What are the standard tracked boom lift sizes?

When searching for the right tracked boom lift for sale, consider the size you need. Exact lift sizes can vary by manufacturer and model. However, these typically range from 30 feet to 100 feet.

Before searching for tracked lifts for sale, consider where the lift will be used and for what purposes. How high are the worksites, and are there tight areas the lift may need to maneuver through? Will the lift always be used to reach similar heights? Is the work likely to evolve? Answering these questions can provide a baseline for which lifts to consider purchasing.

What are the key advantages of using a tracked boom lift?

A key feature of tracked boom lifts is that they utilize crawler tracks rather than regular wheels. This allows them to maneuver on and around difficult terrain, such as sloped or uneven ground. Some models include outriggers that deploy to stabilize the lift at the intended worksite.

Another benefit of tracked boom lifts is their narrow chassis. A thinner body makes it easier to navigate through small spaces, such as doorways, gates, and hallways.

The combination of these two key features makes boom lifts ideal for both indoor and outdoor applications. Whether you need equipment to snake through buildings or have a worksite on rough terrain, a tracked boom lift may be the right tool for you.

What is the difference between a boom lift and a scissor lift?

Boom lifts and scissor lifts both lift professionals, supplies, and equipment to elevated locations. Their major difference lies in their mobility. Scissor lifts use a "pantograph mechanism" to lift and lower a platform directly up or down, without horizontal movement.

Boom lifts also lift a work platform vertically. However, they also have a movable horizontal boom arm. Some of these can telescope to extend or retract the arm itself. Boom lifts offer greater flexibility for accessing hard-to-reach spaces. Scissor lift motion is limited to a single axis, but they are generally smaller and easier to maneuver in tighter spaces.

Are there other names for a tracked boom lift?

Tracked boom lifts have several different names. These names include compact crawler boom lift and tracked-drive boom lift, which refer to key features of the equipment. They are also known as spider lifts because of their appearance. With their outriggers extended for support, they look like spider legs extending out.